FOCUS ON NCIC: IDENTIFYING THE UNIDENTIFIED "Hunters find the torso of a white male in a field. A close examination of the body reveals that the victim has been shot. His head and hands, which were severed from the body, cannot be located. The only identifying mark is a tattoo of a woman's name on the victim's chest." "A major city police department receives a report that a young female with mental problems is missing. Several days later, in another jurisdiction, a young female commits suicide by jumping in front of a commuter train." In both instances, subsequent investigations failed to provide any leads. Neither victim had any identification, and there were no missing person reports in either jurisdiction in which the bodies were found that corresponded with the physical descriptions of the decedents. This prompted law enforcement officers to enter all information available on both victims into the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC). THE NATIONAL CRIME INFORMATION CENTER Since 1983, NCIC has provided computerized assistance in matching unidentified persons and bodies with missing persons. The key to successful use of the system is the prompt entry of records into NCIC's Unidentified Person File and its Missing Person File. Each night, using the NCIC computer, FBI personnel conduct a cross search of descriptive information in the Missing Person File with the physical descriptors, dental characteristics, and personal accessories of unidentified deceased individuals or unidentified living persons, such as amnesiacs. This cross search provides a list of likely matches between records in the Missing Person File and those in the Unidentified Person File. In each of the opening situations described, NCIC matched the unidentified bodies with persons who had been reported missing because user agencies entered all available information into the system. Yet, while these files are a valuable asset to the law enforcement community, many officers are unaware of the availability of the files and are unsure when to enter unidentified person or missing person records into NCIC. Unidentified Person File The Unidentified Person File provides substantial latitude for entering records. Information should be entered into NCIC on any unidentified deceased person or on body parts when a body has been dismembered. In addition, information can be entered on living persons of any age who are unable to ascertain their identities, for example, an amnesia victim or an infant. Missing Person File The Missing Person File also provides a number of categories for entry. Law enforcement officers generally think of this file in terms of missing juveniles. However, there are additional categories that allow a police department to enter a person of any age who is missing and under proven physical or mental disability, or who is senile. The file also allows officers to enter information on persons of any age who are missing under circumstances indicating that their physical safety may be in danger or where their disappearance may not have been voluntary. Also, either file can be used in case of a catastrophe. Specific entry criteria allow law enforcement to enter a record concerning a person of any age who is missing after a catastrophe and to enter information concerning the physical description of any unidentified catastrophe victims. Entering Information Every law enforcement agency in the United States can enter records in both the Missing Person and the Unidentified Person Files. However, the information entered must be complete and accurate. Most inquiries of the Missing Person File involve living persons, and consequently, ask for standard information, such as name, date of birth, and Social Security Number. Unidentified persons, bodies, and body parts require more complex information. As a result, both files allow for entry of such information as blood type, corrective vision prescriptions, scars, marks and tattoos, and dental characteristics. Descriptive information on jewelry and clothing can also play a vital part in the identification process. Cross Searches The automatic cross search process uses artificial intelligence to make comparisons between the Missing Person and Unidentified Person Files. Every factor entered into the record is considered when seeking a match between the two files. The computer initially considers such obvious factors as sex and race to limit the number of possible candidates for a match. As the computer comparison progresses, the computer considers and weighs each area, establishing a score to select the most likely records for review by investigators. For example, in the first scenario detailed, the victim's head and hands had been severed to hinder identification. When the agency entered the missing person information, it included the unusual tattoo with the woman's name in the record. Because the tattoo had been entered, the computer established a high probability of a match. Without this information, the match would not have been made. Each unidentified person case is unique. And while the single most effective method of identification through a cross search between both files is the use of dental characteristics, this information is frequently unavailable. Therefore, police should enter as much information as can be obtained. Effective computer matches have been made using combinations of information that, taken individually, are not unique. However, when combined, the information creates a unique profile that leads to an identification. Newly obtained information should also be added to either file. Each time that a missing person or unidentified person record is modified with additional information, a fresh cross search is made. Entering additional information is particularly important in the Missing Person File, since some information may not be available at the time the report is taken. This could include blood type, dental information, and corrective vision prescriptions. Once the cross search comparison is completed, the agencies that entered the missing person record and the unidentified person record each receive a complete listing of match possibilities. The number of possible matches varies according to the amount of information placed in each file. More complete information provides more opportunities for high quality matches and subsequent positive identifications. CONCLUSION Through the FBI's Missing Person File and Unidentified Person File, police have help to identify the unidentified. Every State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have the capability to access each file. In addition, the manager of each State's criminal justice information system can answer any questions concerning these files. Or, users can obtain assistance from NCIC User Services at 202-FBI-NCIC.